LOS ANGELES - The legend of Jacob deGrom began back in the spring of 2014. In those days, he worked in obscurity in the back row of the Mets' pregame stretching line, where even his flowing hair barely set him apart from the rest of the unknowns.
Since then, deGrom has won the NL Rookie of the Year award, struck out the side on 10 pitches in the All-Star Game and etched his name in the record book alongside Hall of Famer Tom Seaver's. He has become a bona fide ace.
But on Thursday night, deGrom has the chance to take himself to another level, a jump that can be achieved only by conquering the almost invincible.